United Transportation Union
Local 1637
Wishram/Vancouver, Washington on the BNSF
Formerly the Spokane Portland and Seattle Railway 

   Updated on 10/03/2008

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October 1, 2008 FRA issues cell-phone ban

WASHINGTON -- In an emergency order, the Federal Railroad Administration on Oct. 2 banned the use of personal electronic devices by railroad employees while operating trains and in other settings.

The emergency order will be published in the Federal Register shortly, and take effect 20 days later.

Violators of this prohibition are now subject to civil penalties and removal from safety-sensitive service.

"Operating freight and passenger trains, and maintaining track and signals requires the full and undivided attention of those charged with carrying out such responsibilities," said FRA Administrator Joseph Boardman.

The FRA's emergency order came after the National Transportation Safety Board said on Oct. 1 that the Metrolink engineer involved in a Sept. 12 train accident in Los Angeles had sent a cell phone text message 22 seconds before his commuter train crashed head-on into a freight train, killing 25, including the engineer.

Cell-phone records of engineer Robert Sanchez show he sent a text message after receiving one about a minute and 20 seconds before the crash, the NTSB said.

Records obtained from Sanchez's cell phone provider also showed that he sent 24 text messages and received 21 messages over a two-hour period during his morning shift, the NTSB said. During his afternoon shift, he received seven and sent five messages, the NTSB said.

The FRA's Boardman also said:

"The bottom line is railroad operating employees cannot focus on their critical safety functions while engaging in phone conversations, texting or any other form of unessential electronic communication, often in violation of railroad operating rules."

To read the emergency order, click below:
http://www.fra.dot.gov/downloads/PubAffairs/EmergencyOrder26.pdf.

October 1, 2008  Rail safety bill headed to White House

WASHINGTON -- The Senate has passed, by a 74-24 vote, the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008, and its companion, the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008.

Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) voted "yes." Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) voted "no." The vote took place the evening of Oct. 1.

As the House previously voted in favor of the legislation, the two bills, packaged together, now move to the White House. Rep. John Mica of Florida, the senior Republican on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, said Oct. 2 that he was informed by the White House that President Bush will sign the measure into law.
(More)
 


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